“Mazda Carol”

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[ T h e M a z d a C a r o l]

M a z d a C a r o l 1 9 6 2 – 1 9 7 0&1 9 8 9 ~ ( マツダ·キャロル )

The MAZDA CAROL

The Mazda Carol name was used by Mazda for its kei class cars from 1962 – 1970. It was revived again with Mazda’s1989 re-entry into the kei-car class with the Autozam brand and is now in its 7th Generation. It is strongly related to the Suzuki Alto.

T h e 1st G e n e r a t i o n (1 9 6 2 – 1 9 7 0)

The Mazdago :Mazda R360 :

The Mazda R360 was complemented by the more grown-up 2-door sedan Mazda P360 Carol in February1962, the company’s first 4-passenger car, and complemented the 3-wheeledMazda Mazdago.It was more substantial than the R360, although its total length of 2,980 mm ( 117.3 in ) was the same, its 1,930 mm ( 76.0 in ) wheelbase was considerably longer. The Carol weighed in at 525 kg ( 1,157 lb ), versus 380 kg ( 838 lb ) for the diminutive R360. It used the ‘DA‘ 18 PS ( 13 kW ), rear-mounted water-cooled358 cc 4-cylinder OHV engine. This is one of the smallest 4-cylinder automobile engines in history, only Honda’s 356cc DOHC alloy inline-four unit, used in the T360 truck was smaller. The 4-speed gearbox was synchronised on the top 3 gears.

Mazda P360 Carol: ( KDPA )

The Carol was perhaps over engineered it had a very strong monocoque body, a 4-cylinder 4-stroke engine with a 5-bearing crankshaft and 4-wheel independent suspension by torsion bars, but this led to high production costs comparably heavy weight and its very comfortable ride was offset by cramped accommodation. Nonetheless, the Carol was an incredible success in the marketplace, capturing 67% of the kei-car market in its first year.A better equipped DeLuxe version was added in May1962, along with a changed angle of the rear window to help it stay clean. In September1963, shortly after a reshaped combustion head and upgrade to 20 PS ( 15 kW ), a 4-door version appeared.

P360 Carol: ( rear view )

In October1966 a minor facelift took place. The car was lightened somewhat, new bumpers were mounted, and the spare tyre was moved from the front to the engine space, freeing up scarce luggage space. Also, the gearbox was now fully synchronised.The last modification took place in 1969, when in response to stricter safety standards a driver’s side headrest and provisions for seat belts were fitted. Production continued until August1970, by which time 265,226 Carol 360’s had been built.Mazda did not offer a kei-class passenger car for 2 years, until the 1972 introduction of the Chantez.

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T h e M a z d a C a r o l 6 0 0 ( 1 9 6 2 – 1 9 6 4 )

The Mazda P600: (マツダ P600 キャロル)

The Carol 600 appeared in Autumn1962 with a larger 586cc RA OHV engine and longer at 3,200 mm. The extra length was due to more prominent bumpers, passenger space was as restricted as in the 360. Weight ranged from 560 kg – 585 kg ( 1,235 – 1,290 lb ). It was also available as a 4-door sedan, ahead of the lesser Carol 360. The car was called the ‘600‘ or ‘P600‘ in export markets. At home, there was a Standard 2-door, and DeLuxe 2 or 4-door versions. Production ended in November1964, after the introduction of the more spacious Mazda Familia 800 Sedan version. Around 8,800 Carol 600’s were built.

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T h e 2 n d G e n e r a t i o n ( 1 9 8 9 – 1 9 9 4 )

The Autozam Badge:

With the revival of the kei class in the late1980’s, Mazda revived the Carol name for its 1989Autozam Carol. The recently introduced Autozam was to be Mazda’syouthful brand and was used on Mazda’s kei-cars for some time. The Carol was produced for Mazda by Suzuki, and while it used the Suzuki Alto’s platform and mechanicals, its interior and boldly curved exterior were largely unique. Its round headlights and cute appearance were very much a product of its time and followed upon the heels of similar designs such as Nissan’s Be-1 & Pao. It was either front ( AA5PA ) or all-wheel drive ( AA5RA ) and its SOHC 547cc 3-cylinder Suzuki F5B engine produced 40 PS ( 29 kW ) @ 7,500 rpm. The Carol had a 2,335 mm ( 92 in ) wheelbase for a total length of 3,190 mm ( 126 in ) and was 1,295 mm ( 51 in ) wide. Brakes were discs up front with drums at the rear.

Autozam Carol: ( AA6XA )

Equipment levels were ‘E‘, ‘F‘ also ‘4WD‘, and the top ‘G‘ version. The ‘G‘ version featured a Canvas Top. 4-wheel drives received a 5-speed gearbox, while the front-wheel drive versions received a 4 or 5-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic. 550cc Carols are rare, as production ended after only 5 months. New kei-car regulations for 1990 allowed manufacturers a bigger engine and an extra 10 cm of body length, and Mazda quickly brought out an updated Carol.

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T h e f a c e l i f t e d v e r s i o n ( 1 9 9 0 – 1 9 9 4 )

Mazda Carol ‘Me Lady‘ ( AA6PA ): ( special edition )

New regulations brought about the replacement of the 1989Carolwithin 4 months. The new car was 6 cm longer and used a larger 657cc Suzuki F6A engine with 52 PS ( 38 kW ). The car is easy to tell from its predecessor by its clear headlight covers. In 1991, Mazda offered a 61 PS ( 45 kW ) turbocharged engine, and the car was lengthened to 329 cm in 1992.

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T h e 3 r d G e n e r a t i o n ( 1 9 9 5 – 1 9 9 8 )

Autozam Carol 3G

( アウトザム·キャロル3G )

An updated Autozam Carol came out in October1995 as a 1996 model. Again, it was front or all-wheel drive and still riding on the same platform.

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T h e 4 t h G e n e r a t i o n ( 1 9 9 9 – 2 0 0 3 )

Mazda Carol 4G

( マツダ·キャロル4G )

An entirely new Carol appeared in October1998 as a 1999 model, this time with the Mazda brand name. Unlike previous Carols, this model was similar to the Suzuki Alto. This Carol was available with either front or all-wheel drive and used the old 657cc F6A engine or a new 658cc DOHC unit. It was closely related to the AZ-Offroad and AZ-Wagon introduced at the same time.

T h e f a c e l i f t e d v e r s i o n ( 2 0 0 1 – 2 0 0 3 )

Mazda Carol 4G: ( facelift model )

( マツダ·キャロル4G )

The Carol was updated with a new look for 2001. Emissions, with a new VVT engine and safety were also improved.

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T h e 5 t h G e n e r a t i o n ( 2 0 0 4 – 2 0 0 9 )

Mazda Carol 5G:

( マツダ·キャロル5G )

As Suzuki released a replacement for the Suzuki Alto, the rebadged Mazda Carol was also replaced.

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T h e 6 t h G e n e r a t i o n ( 2 0 1 0 – 2 0 1 4 )

Mazda Carol 6G

( マツダ·キャロル6G )

Mazda launched a new Carol in December2009, as a 2010 model, which was first revealed at the 2009Tōkyō Motor Show. The Carolhas been updated alongside its sister, the Suzuki Alto. Like the Alto, the Carol is available with AWD and CVT.

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T h e 7 t h G e n e r a t i o n ( 2 0 1 4 ~ )

Mazda Carol 7G

( マツダ·キャロル7G )

As Suzuki released a replacement for the Suzuki Alto, the rebadged Mazda Carol was also replaced.